Qiao Zheng’s arrival was akin to the light at the end of the tunnel, bringing hope to the Qiao family.
After all, he was the previous Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Even if Qiao Zheng had resigned, a wrecked s.h.i.+p would still have three thousand nails. He still had plenty of power and connections, so naturally he would definitely be able to help somehow.
Qiao Yi hastily bade the pageboy. “Come, let’s all go and welcome the Second Master.”
“Yes.”
Everyone got up and hastily ran to the entrance.
A dark grey sedan had stopped in front of the Qiao Estate entrance. The attendant drew the curtain apart from the outside while the person inside came out and stepped towards the entrance.
Qiao Zheng was dressed in a jet black robe, his loose sleeves buffeted by the breeze. The birds and flowers embroidered on the sleeves swayed with the wind, making them all the more lifelike.
His brows furrowed and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened as he gazed at the Qiao family members who were rus.h.i.+ng towards him. That pair of unfathomably deep eyes seemed to hold a hint of anger.
“Second brother.” Qiao Yi’s voice was as sonorous as a bell.
Qiao Zheng was instantly surrounded by relatives, each wearing a smile that had both expressions of respect and fear. The pomposity of it all was almost theatrical!
Qiao Zheng’s expression was stern as he gave a curt reply. “Let’s talk inside.”
“Alright.” Everyone hastily returned to the estate and the door was once again shut with a bang.
Not too far away, this entire series of events was witnessed by Ji Yunshu. That’s right, she had already predicted Qiao Zheng’s arrival based on the route he took after he left the capital.
Tang Si still did not understand why Ji Yunshu said that they were going back at first but chose to change her mind to stop here and observe the Qiao Estate from afar.
To be exact, she seemed to be waiting for something.
What made Tang Si even more confused was… “Ah Ji, who was that guy? Why did the Qiaos’ refuse to open the door when we arrived but all of them came out to welcome him with open arms when that guy appeared? Is he the Jade Emperor or something?”
“That’s their savior!” Ji Yunshu replied mildly.
“Their savior?”
“That’s right, the Qiao Estate’s savior.”
Tang Si found herself getting even more confused instead, so she just looked out and peered in the direction of the estate.
However, since everyone had gone inside, the door was naturally shut as well.
The corners of Ji Yunshu’s mouth curled slightly, as though everything was according to her plan.
“Come, we should go back now.” With that, she turned around and left.
Tang Si hastily followed after her.
In the hall of the Qiao Estate.
Qiao Zheng sat in the main seat, still wearing the same serious expression on his face, exuding an authoritative air.
A young maid brought over a pot of tea and was in the midst of placing it next to him when he coldly declared, “No need.”
The maid was startled. Then she lowered her head and hastily brought the tea away. With such intense tension in the air, she had to tread carefully.
No one dared to be the first to break the oppressive atmosphere in the hall. They could only focus their attention on Qiao Zheng, waiting for him to speak first.
Qiao Zheng finally opened his mouth to speak after a while. “This case was reopened by the Supreme Court. As such, not even I can help.”
The family’s expectations of him coming to save them were dashed by a single, cold sentence!
Qiao Yi was anxious as his body leaned forward. “Second Brother, Zihua did not kill anyone. If you don’t help him, then no one will be able to help him!”
“Big brother, you were always sharp witted. How could you be so muddle-headed this time?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Qiao Zheng replied, “Do you not understand the principle behind the saying, ‘Three hundred taels are not buried here’? Even if Zihua were innocent, our family’s actions would have made him look suspicious.” [1]
Realization dawned upon Qiao Yi. “Then Second Brother, what do we do now?”
“Be at ease. So long as he did not kill anyone, I can guarantee that no one will be able to arrest him. Moreover, the one sent to investigate this case is Teacher Ji, whose ability is famous in the capital. He has a knack for solving cases, is excellent at his job and is highly intelligent. If he’s the one handling the case, you can be rest a.s.sured that he will find the truth of the matter and prove Zihua’s innocence.”
“Second Brother, I’m much more at ease after hearing your words. ” The Qiao family heaved a sigh of relief.
However… “Just now, you were very foolish in refusing to see Teacher Ji and locking the door. He was not only sent by the Supreme Court to investigate this case, but is also someone who has Prince Rong’s trust and backing. To offend him is to offend Prince Rong, and offending the prince is tantamount to opposing the Emperor. Even I would have to show respect towards Teacher Ji.”
At Qiao Zheng’s reminder, the family was once again thrown into panic.
Qiao Xiao spoke up. “Second Uncle, I had already met Teacher Ji when I was in the capital looking for you. That person is not to be trifled with, yet we’ve already kicked the hornet’s nest. What should we do if he was angered and directly concludes that Big Brother is the murderer?”
Qiao Zheng thought for a while, clenching his hands in his sleeves before looking at the trembling Qiao Zihua. “You are coming with me right now.”
“Where to, Second Uncle?”
“To find Teacher Ji and apologize in person.”
For a moment, the Qiao family were struck speechless.
……
Some time later.
Ji Yunshu was in her courtyard playing with the cat using a thin strip of bamboo. She was having the time of her life.
The overjoyed kitten was bouncing all over the place, extending its short front paws trying its best to catch that slender piece of bamboo. “Meow~”
When its claws drew near, she raised the strip by a little bit. The cat was going crazy from her teasing. “Meow~”
Not too long later, one of the residence’s guards came to report. “Teacher Ji, people from the Qiao family are here, requesting to meet with you.”
However, Ji Yunshu continued to play with the kitten, as if she had heard nothing.
The guard repeated his report once more, but no reply was given either. He could only awkwardly stand in a corner and watch her play with the cat.
She had already predicted that Qiao Zheng would personally bring Qiao Zihua to visit. Ziling had also already informed her of their arrival. Logically speaking, she did not have a reason to refuse someone who had come to visit.
However, the Qiaos had shut the door in her face a few hours ago. Ji Yunshu was going to let them have a taste of their own medicine.
She’ll go after she tired of playing with the cat.
It wasn’t long before Jing Rong caught wind of the matter as well.
Qiao Zheng is here? Just as well, Jing Rong had also wanted to understand why the Ministry of Personnel had written a pet.i.tion against him. Thus, he allowed Qiao Zheng to enter.
Upon meeting Jing Rong, Qiao Zheng respectfully clasped his hands and greeted him. “This humble minister Qiao Zheng pays his respects to Prince Rong.”
Jing Rong coldly narrowed his eyes. “Lord Qiao, did you just return from the capital?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why are you here instead of resting at home from the journey?”
Qiao Zheng lowered his head and bowed. “The reason why this humble official came here on such notice is actually on behalf of my nephew Zihua.” Straight to the point.
Jing Rong shot a glance at Qiao Zihua, who had been looking down all this time, before turning his attention back to Qiao Zheng. He coldly chuckled. “Last time, your elder brother barged into the yamen with him in tow. Today, you’re bringing him here right after reaching home. You Qiaos really are strange indeed.”
The yamen was Magistrate Zuo’s territory and out of his jurisdiction. However, if the Qiaos were to cause trouble here, Jing Rong would have them flayed alive in a heartbeat. It was as simple as that.
[1] This refers to a bit of a fable where a group of bandits tried to hide their loot and divert attention by putting up a sign that said 'Three hundred taels are not buried here', right above where the money was buried. You can imagine how well it worked lol.